This Kenya

I have now had a special relationship with Kenya (The country)for around three decades. Much of that time not out of choice - though i dont regret. this relationship has been largely enjoyable. With some rough patches of course (but i guess all relationships are like that)

Last week i met a friend of mine who we grew up with back and we recounted our young days. especially in early school. It was a refreshing meeting and ended up being hilarious. I couldn't help noticing how things have changed.

1. We used to stand at attention when the flag is lowered. As long as you hear the whistle - regardless of how far you were from the action.
2.We only had one pair of shoes - Bata bullets - that we only wore on Sundays meaning we went to school barefoot.
3.We knew the whole national anthem offhead and sang it every Friday morning at assembly/school parade
4.We also recited something that went like 'I pledge my royalty to the president and the repblic of Kenya.....' Anyone remembers what it was called? Everyfriday
5.We had Nyayo Milk - delivered to school every alternate Tuesday
6.When the president was on our route we all stopped classes and went out to cheer and sing his praises as he drove past.
7.The president would occassionally stop and give us 'something small' - of course only the teachers know where this money used to go because we never got a single cent.
8.All our school stationery requirements were supplied free by KSES. Whatever happened to that scheme!
9.There was only one TV station and it would start programming at 4pm and end at 11pm Daily
10.There was a song that sang on radio everyday just before 7am without fail that went like...hata wewe kijana, amka kumekucha..

Anyone from my/our generation...what did we leave out